About 90 people received a gift of free coffee Friday after a mystery man told baristas at Celtic Coffee House he would pick up the tab for any drinks up to $200.

The man, who apparently works in downtown New Bedford, came in around 9:30 a.m. to buy coffee for his office, said barista Jae Rouillier, 18. Then, out of the blue, he asked how much money they typically make in a morning, she said.

"We were extremely confused. We were like 'Why is he asking this stuff?'" she said.

The man, tall and gray-haired, in khakis and a parka, said he had ties to Newtown, Conn., and wanted to treat customers to free coffee to "make people feel better," said barista/bartender Erica Caravana, 23.

Apparently, it worked.

"People were really happy," said Rouillier, saying the gesture made at least two women cry and prompted coffee drinkers to return the sentiment with "good tips."

The man, who did not tell baristas his name, returned to settle up around 5:30 p.m., she said. His bill was about $175, Caravana said.

Customers apparently clued the Celtic staff in to the man's identity but they remained mum about it Friday.